Best ways to visit Auschwitz
Obligatory docs
To enter the Museum, you must have some ID and your pass on you (printed or saved – bar code must be visible). Passes may be booked everyday from noon, 90 days in advance.
Get your pass
Through the reservation system
(up to 5 days before)
By email: reservation.office@auschwitz.org
(5-2 days before)
On site – risky
The number of available tickets is limited, so acquiring them on the spot is not quaranteed.
The queue gets very long on busy days. Without prior reservation, visiting will only be possible in the first available hour.
Free entry pass
Up to ten people may enter for free, but only in the afternoon. Take guided Auschwitz tour first, to familiarize with the place.
Pros: you can visit more places then on a guided tour, no need to rush
Cons: without historical background the place may not give you much
Tips: use a guidebook, go in the same direction as groups indoors
Guidelines
- You can enter 30 minutes early
- Present your ID and entry pass
- Walk through the security gates
- Go downstairs and through the tunnel
- Visit the first part – Auschwitz
- Exit to the carpark and go to Birkenau
- At the gate show your pass and go inside
- Visit the second part – Birkenau
Reservation
In the reservation system, select:
Visit for individuals -> select a date -> Tour for individuals without an educator
Guidebook
Guidebooks come in many languages and contain the regular sightseeing route with commentaries. Get it on site or online (20 PLN).
Guided service
Organized tour is usually available until the last minute, but has limitations.
Private tour is best for demanding and larger groups. Choose your route.
Joint tour is for small groups and individuals who don’t book in advance.
Tour types
3.5-h general tour
You visit both parts of the camp and receive basic information.
6-h study tour
You visit more than on 3.5-h tour: Block 27, Sauna, Canada, etc.
8-h study tour
4 hours at Auschwitz and 4 hours at Birkenau, in one or two days.
2.5-h general tour
You visit less than on 3.5-hour tour at the same price. Choose 3.5-h instead.
2.5-h online tour
This is a new type of tour. Contact the Museum for more information.
Headset
A small radio allows you to hear the guide’s narration clearly. Pick it up downstairs in the reception building.
This is not an audio guide.
Pros: you can hear the guide from a distance and focus on your surroundings
Cons: you have to wear the device; if crackling, inform the guide, may need fixing
Tips: use your own headphones – 3.5 mm jack; change volume if necessary
Put headphones on after sound check.
The volume might be set to maximum or zero. Use the small wheel to change it.
Languages
Joint guided tours are available in: Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Spanish.
Private guided tours are available also in: Croatian, Dutch, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Serbian, Swedish, Ukrainian.
Joint guided Auschwitz tour
For individual visitors and small groups.
Pros: it’s often available at the last minute, 9 languages
Cons: only some tour types are available, fixed route
Tips: for groups over 6 people hire your own guide
Inside, look for your guide, holding a board with the tour language.
Guidelines
- Arrive 30 min before your tour at the main parking lot
- Present your ID and ticket to pass security gates
- Wait for your guide in the hallway
- Go downstairs to get a headset and start the tour
- You are shown around the first part – Auschwitz
- Return to the main parking lot and find the shuttle bus
- Get to Birkenau and look for your guide by the main gate
- You are shown around the second part of the camp – Birkenau
Reservation
In the booking system, select:
Visit for individuals -> select a date -> select language -> select the visiting hour -> basket
90 PLN (80 PLN)
3.5-h tour
130 PLN (110 PLN)
6-h study tour
40 PLN
2.5-h online tour
The discount is available to students under 26, people over 75 or with a disability card.
In Polish the sightseeing is 10 PLN cheaper apart from the online tours.
Private guided Auschwitz tour
You decide
Which places to visit. Time is limited and possibilities many.
What to explain in detail. Inform the Museum before arrival.
When to begin. Can start 30 min early, you lose time if late.
How long the break between A&B is. It takes the tour time.
Pros: convenient and flexible, more languages available
Cons: need to distribute tickets, may not be available last minute
Tips: book in advance, let your guide know in case of requests
Guidelines
- Arrive early, and ask for your guide at the front desk
- Walk through the security gates with your guide
- Everyone presents their ID and entry passes
- Gather in the hallway and go downstairs, passes needed
- The guide checks the headsets and you walk 10 min
- You are shown around the first part – Auschwitz
- Return to the main parking lot and to your bus
- From the Birkenau parking lot walk to the main gate
- You are shown around the second part of the camp – Birkenau
Reservation
Register in the booking system and select: Visit for groups. After sending the query you will be answered by email. A regular 3.5-hour tour may cost less than PLN 27 per person. Polish schools are entitled to a discount.
30 / 20 / 10 people
770 / 720 / 620 PLN
2.5 / 3.5-h general tour
950 / 900 / 800 PLN
6-h study tour
1040 / 990 / 890 PLN
8-h study tour
590 PLN
2.5-h online tour
All-inclusive Auschwitz tour
Most visitors choose 3.5-hour tours from Kraków. If you add the travel time, the whole thing takes half a day.
Pros: transport included, add-ons (e.g. lunch), no need for advance booking
Cons: price, gathering people may take long, fixed schedule – no way to discover the area
Tips: check opinions as quality varies, calculate the costs and choose a private tour if cheaper
Trip description
- Pick-up in Kraków (may take long due to traffic jams)
- Drive to the Museum (about 1.5 hours)
- The tour leader distributes the tickets
- Present your ticket and ID
- You go inside and pass security check
- Collect a headset downstairs
- Tour of the first part – Auschwitz (about 1.5 hours)
- A short break, return to the bus and drive to Birkenau
- Tour of the second part – Birkenau (about 1 hour)
- Return to the bus and to Kraków (about 2 hours)
To fully appreciate the visit
Education first
Learn the history, read memoirs of survivors and listen to their testimonies. Note down the places and topics you want to explore. Send the list to the Museum.
Reservation
Book a private study tour. Get a free entry pass for the day before to familiarize with the place. Find accomodation nearby to tour with full attention.
Sightseeing
Tell your guide about the places you want to visit. Ask questions and make notes during the tour. Stay longer to discover related places and exhibitions.
